Susan Schmidt, a 47-year-old Australian mother of two and former physiotherapist, was diagnosed with incurable stage four colon cancer in September 2023 after initially dismissing mild symptoms. Her early signs—fatigue, constipation, and two episodes of extreme pain—were subtle and easily attributed to stress, early menopause, or diet. Schmidt now reflects on how she ignored warning signs like needing to nap during short drives, and constipation she experienced while vacationing in France. Doctors initially gave her the all-clear, but were not investigating for cancer at the time.
Schmidt is now speaking out to raise awareness and break the stigma around discussing bowel symptoms. She emphasizes that her experience—even with medical knowledge—shows how easily colon cancer can go undetected. She urges others to trust their instincts and seek further testing even if initial exams and blood tests seem normal. To support others, she has launched The Floozie Foundation, which provides aid to Australian nurses and colon cancer patients, aiming to make early detection and open conversations more accessible and less taboo.
